Single-Arm Stabilizer Having Suction Capability

ABSTRACT

A single-arm stabilizer having suction capability includes a single, small leg through which suction can be applied. The leg has an upper surface and a lower surface that are spaced apart to define a chamber. The lower surface includes a plurality of openings that are disposed adjacent each other. A support arm is connected to the leg in order to position the leg as desired. A suction line is in fluid communication with the chamber in order to create a vacuum within the chamber. The stabilizer can be used to stabilize any desired portion of a patient&#39;s body, but is particularly effective at stabilizing the septum of a patient&#39;s heart. Such stabilization can be accomplished by inserting the leg into the patient&#39;s heart through the aorta.

REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional applicationser. no. 61/801,498, entitled Single-Arm Stabilizer Having SuctionCapability, filed Mar. 15, 2013 by Robert E. Michler and Albert N.Santilli, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present application refers to and incorporates by reference theentirety of U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,134, U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,492, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,967,972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to surgical stabilizers of the type used incardiac surgery and, more particularly, to a single-arm surgicalstabilizer having suction capability.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS), also known ashypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a disease characterized by markedhypertrophy of the left ventricle, involving in particular theinterventricular septum and the left ventricular outflow tract. Duringsystole, the hypertrophied muscle in the outflow tract often narrowsthis region sufficiently to produce obstruction to left ventricularejection. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the enlargement andarrangement of muscle fibers are abnormal, leading to thickened heartwalls. The most thickening tends to happen in the left ventricle (theheart's central pumping chamber), especially in the septum, the wallthat separates the left and right ventricles. The thickening reduces thesize of the pumping chamber and obstructs blood flow. It also preventsthe heart from properly relaxing between beats and so filling withblood. Types of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy includes ASH and HOCM.

There are a number of treatment options for IHSS, including lifestylechanges, medications, pacemakers and surgery. Various drugs are used totreat this disease. They comprise beta blockers, calcium channelblockers, antiarrhythmic medications, and diuretics.

Pacemakers vary the pattern and reduce the force of the heart'scontractions. The pacemaker can diminish the degree of obstruction andso relieve symptoms. Surgery generally calls for removal of part of thethickened septum (the muscle wall separating the chambers) that isblocking the blood stream. Surgery to eliminate the thickening easessymptoms in about 70 percent of patients but results in death in about 1to 3 percent of patients. Also, about 5 percent of those who havesurgery develop a slow heartbeat, which is then corrected with apacemaker.

In the course of surgically treating cardiac problems such as IHSS orHOCM it is necessary to position the septum in a desired position. Thiscan be problematic because it is difficult to grasp septum, particularlyif the septum is accessed through the aorta.

Desirably, a technique would be available that would permit the surgeonto be able to grasp the septum during the course of conducting asurgical procedure so as to stabilize the septum. Preferably, such atechnique would be able to push or pull the septum to any desiredposition and hold it there as long as necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to the foregoing concerns, the present invention provides anew and improved surgical retractor that is able to engage or grasptissue, particularly the septum. The retractor according to theinvention can be used in various types of surgical procedures, althoughit is especially effective in cardiac surgery involving the septum. In apreferred embodiment, the stabilizer includes a single, small legthrough which suction can be applied through the lower surfaces thereof.The suction enables the surface of the septum or other surface to begrasped by the stabilizer, thereby preventing the septum from moving.The stabilizer is small enough that it can be inserted through theaorta.

The leg has an upper surface and a lower surface that are spaced apartto define a chamber, the lower surface including a plurality of openingswhich are disposed adjacent each other. When a suction tube is in fluidcommunication with the chamber, a vacuum can be applied to the openingsin the leg so as to attract the septum to the leg. In the preferredembodiment, a plastic housing forms that portion of the leg in contactwith the septum.

The stabilizer also includes a support arm each having a first end and asecond end, the first end of the support arm being connected to the legand the second end of the support arm being connected to a supportingmember such as a cardiovascular retractor. Preferably the support arm ismade of a malleable material so that it can be bent into a desiredposition during the course of a surgical procedure while being strongenough to hold the septum in a desired position. Suction can be appliedthrough the support arm if it is hollow or through a separate suctionline connected to the chamber.

The foregoing features and advantages will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and description that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical retractor according to theinvention in which a suction capability is provided;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the retractor of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of thesurgical retractor according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a surgical stabilizer according to theinvention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. Thestabilizer 10 includes a hollow leg 12. The leg 12 is formed by anelongate, hollow arm 14 to which a housing 16, preferably of a plasticmaterial, is attached. The end of the leg 12 is provided with aplurality of spaced openings 18. The housing 16 is hollow and defines achamber 20. The housing 16 and the arm 14 form an upper surface 22. Theunderside of the housing 16 forms a lower surface 24. The lower surface24 has a plurality of openings 26 that are disposed adjacent to eachother, in this instance in a straight line.

A suction line 28 is spliced into the hollow arm 14 at a location remotefrom the housing 16. The suction line 28 can be connected to awall-mounted suction port typically found in operating rooms. A clamp 30is mounted at the distal end of the arm 14. The clamp has a C-shapedopening 32 that can be fitted about a generally flat portion of acardiovascular retractor and retained in place there by a thumbscrew 34.

Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the invention isindicated by the reference numeral 40. The embodiment 40 is similar tothe embodiment 10. The stabilizer 40 includes a hollow leg 42. The leg42 is formed by an elongate, solid arm 44 to which a housing 46,preferably of a plastic material, is attached. The housing 46 is hollowand defines a chamber 50. The housing 46 and the arm 44 form an uppersurface 52. The underside of the housing 46 forms a lower surface 54.The lower surface 54 has a plurality of openings 56 that are disposedadjacent to each other, in this instance in a straight line.

A suction line 58 is connected to the housing 46 and is in fluidcommunication with the chamber 50. The suction line 58 can be connectedto a wall-mounted suction port typically found in operating rooms. Aclamp (not shown) similar or identical to the clamp 30 can be used toconnect the arm 44 to a stable member such as a retractor.

Since the stabilizers 10, 40 are expected to be inserted through theaorta, they must be very small. Typically, the legs 12, 42 will be about2 or 3 cm long, 5 to 7 mm wide, and approximately 4 or 5 mm high. Thearms 14, 44 will be about 6 cm long.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the stabilizeraccording to the invention can apply suction to the lower surfaces 24,54 of the legs 12, 42 in an effective manner. The stabilizer accordingto the invention enables the septum or other engaged surface to bepushed or pulled into a desired position for the course of the surgicalprocedure.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it will be understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred embodiment has been made only by way ofexample and that various changes may be resorted to without departingfrom the true spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed andclaimed.

1. A single-arm stabilizer especially adapted to stabilize the septum of a patient's heart and being of a size and shape to be inserted into the heart through the patient's aorta, comprising: a single, small leg in the form of an elongate, generally rectangular housing through which suction can be applied through the lower surfaces thereof, the housing having a proximal end wall, a distal end wall, an upper surface and a lower surface, the proximal end wall, the distal end wall, the upper surface and the lower surface being spaced apart to define a chamber, the lower surface including a plurality of openings that are disposed adjacent each other; a support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support arm being connected to the housing and the second end of the support arm being connectable to a supporting member such as a cardiovascular retractor, the first end of the support arm extending into the chamber through the proximal end wall; and a suction line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the suction line being in fluid communication with the chamber and the second end being connectable to a suction source, whereby, when the second end is connected to a suction source a vacuum will be established within the chamber.
 2. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the support arm is hollow and includes a terminal portion having one or more openings in fluid communication with the chamber; and the first end of the suction line is connected to the support arm adjacent the first end thereof such that the suction line can apply a vacuum to the chamber through the first end of the support arm.
 3. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the first end of the suction line is directly connected to the housing.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a plastics material.
 6. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the housing is about 2-3 cm long, 5-7 mm wide and about 4-5 mm high. 7-8. (canceled)
 9. A single-arm stabilizer especially adapted for stabilizing the septum of a patient's heart and being of a size and shape to be inserted into the heart through the patient's aorta, comprising: a single, small leg in the form of an elongate, generally rectangular housing through which suction can be applied through the lower surfaces thereof, the housing having a proximal end wall, a distal end wall, an upper surface and a lower surface that are spaced apart to define a chamber, the lower surface being generally flat and including a plurality of openings that are disposed adjacent each other along the length of the lower surface, the housing being made of a plastics material and being about 2-3 cm long, 5-7 mm wide and about 4-5 mm high; a support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support arm being connected to the housing and the second end of the support arm being connectable to a supporting member such as a cardiovascular retractor, the first end of the support arm extending into the chamber through the proximal end wall and defining a portion of the upper surface of the housing, the first end of the support arm and the upper surface of the housing forming a generally flat surface; and a suction line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the suction line being in fluid communication with the chamber and the second end being connectable to a suction source, whereby, when the second end is connected to a suction source a vacuum will be established within the chamber.
 10. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein: the first end of the support arm is hollow and includes a terminal portion disposed within the chamber, the terminal portion having one or more openings in fluid communication with the chamber; and the first end of the suction line is connected to the support arm adjacent the first end thereof such that the suction line can apply a vacuum to the chamber through the first end of the support arm.
 11. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein: the first end of the support arm is solid and includes a terminal portion disposed within the chamber; and the first end of the suction line is connected directly to the housing.
 12. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein the housing is made of a plastics material.
 13. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein the support arm is made of a malleable material.
 14. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, further comprising a clamp, the clamp being disposed at the second end of the support arm.
 15. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 14, wherein the clamp is C-shaped and includes a thumbscrew that extends through a portion thereof, whereby the clamp can be fitted about a generally flat portion of a cardiovascular retractor and retained in place there.
 16. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the support arm is made of a malleable material.
 17. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, further comprising a clamp, the clamp being disposed at the second end of the support arm.
 18. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 17, wherein the clamp is C-shaped and includes a thumbscrew that extends through a portion thereof, whereby the clamp can be fitted about a generally flat portion of a cardiovascular retractor and retained in place there.
 19. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the first end of the support arm defines a portion of the upper surface of the housing.
 20. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 19, wherein the first end of the support arm and the upper surface of the housing form a generally flat surface. 